What's the deal with Welsh, and other comedy

Selie · Post by **Selie** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:16 am

So what's the deal with Welsh? I know it has some sounds that only a Welshman can pronounce, some of the longest words in the world, and is extremely difficult (near impossible) to pronounce properly, but I don't think I've really ever heard it spoken. Is it the mockery of the UK?

I like what I know of Wales ... it's pretty, it's very weird, and it has very strange but interesting legends. Never been anywhere in Europe except Paris, though, so I have absolutely no firsthand experience.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:25 am

OK. In the UK we all like to mock each other. Its all just friendly banter: the English give it to the Welsh, The Scots wind the English up, and everybody makes fun of Irish people. Just the way it is! And me being a Yorkshireman, I get it more than most! The Geordies take a lot of stick too, as do Southerners, the Brummie accent, Bristolians etc etc...

As Billy Connolly said (the funniest comedian in the world, and Scottish): Two Scotsmen invented copper wire, as they fought over a penny...

Selie · Post by **Selie** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:33 am

Poor Irish, getting made fun of by everybody. I hope they make fun of everybody in return?

That's okay, some of my friends (American) sit and argue about which UK accent is hottest. So I guess everybody gets some love. Personally, I think it's all really funny.

I swear, some of you guys are online ALL THE TIME. Do you have the story thread set up to email you whenever anyone posts on it?

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:46 am

Billy Connolly ... (the funniest comedian in the world

!! Are you serious? Maybe a bit funny 15 years ago but certainly not now. Tired and dated and rapidly becoming a parody of himself. Still, at least he's not as awful as Lenny Henry.

Do you have the story thread set up to email you whenever anyone posts on it?

Hell, no my inbox would be overflowing, and by the time the emails got through, I'd have missed the word by several postings anyway. I just keep it in the background while doing other things and check it every few mins (F5).

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:57 am

Same hear, have it in the background.

OK, Billy is not quite as good as he was, but compared to some of the 'modern' comedians he is much better. I can't stand Matt Lucas, Little Britain, Avid Merrion, Jimmy Carr and many others. BTW, Peter Cook was recently voted best comedian of all time, Connolly was eighth.

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 2:32 am

Peter Cook gets my vote, as does Little Britain (though it's a bit inconsistent). But I agree that Carr and that idiot with the neck brace should not be on the TV.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:36 pm

Yes, Peter Cook was a genious, as was Cleese (2nd) and most of the Python crew for that matter. This giant thread reminds me a lot of the nonsensical ramblings of Python sketches!

Selie · Post by **Selie** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:06 pm

Aha! Python! I can appreciate them. And John Cleese.

(finally, something I can relate to. America has its own bad comedians to focus on, so I don't know the bad British comedians. I can't stand Rowan Atkinson or however you spell his name, but that's just because I don't like physical comedy).

BloodFromStone · Post by **BloodFromStone** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:18 pm

*slips on a banana, accompanied by a cartoon sound effect, while the laugh track plays*

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:21 pm

Britain seems to be spawning a glut of bad comedians at the moment. A lot of them go way over the top on 'image' rather than just being naturally funny. Harry Hill for example, and that awful Avid Merrion.
My favourite 'stand-up' comedians are similar, such as Billy Connolly and Dave Allen. I am not a fan of American stand up comedy.
Rowan Atkinson is a multi-talented guy! I suppose you are thinking of the 'Mr Bean' role that he plays, but watching a series of Blackadder will soon change your mind! Also he has now lent his hand to politics.

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:24 pm

Rowan Atkinson is my God. And I'm not talking about Bean, but instead Blackadder, NTNON and his early stand up stuff. As for American comedians, the only decent one I can recall is the late Bill Hicks. Hey, we're going off topic again....!

Harry Hill started off quite amusing but ended up a sad pile of poo on a late night show that no-one watches.

Selie · Post by **Selie** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:24 pm

I'm sure he's a great person and all, but yeah, it's mostly his Bean-related roles that I've seen, and I just can't stand the stuff. Glad to hear he can actually be very funny.

American stand-up comedy tends to be extremely vulgar. I hope the British equivalent is drier, since you guys have the reputation over here as having very dry wit. Which is fine with me - that's what I tend to prefer.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:36 pm

Blackadder is one of the all time great British comedy shows, if not THE greatest. You'll never forget the Lord Flasheart line, 'Am I pleased to see you, or did I just put a canoe in my pocket...'

BloodFromStone · Post by **BloodFromStone** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:38 pm

George Carlin is an American comedian that I enjoy. He's a bit angry and vulgar, and I can see why some wouldn't like him... But he's always been one of my favorites.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:45 pm

I like some American comedy shows, namely Cheers (sometimes). But American TV on the whole is just fantastic! Dukes of Hazzard? Classic!

BloodFromStone · Post by **BloodFromStone** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:47 pm

And Heehaw! *gets bricked*

Selie · Post by **Selie** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:58 pm

Ehn, comedy shows. It's very rare for me to find something that matches my sense of humor. I don't watch much television because there isn't much I enjoy (and because cable is expensive so I don't have it), and comedy usually has the worst selection as far as that's concerned.

Do you like any American shows that are less than a decade or several old, Paul?

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:03 pm

Er, in a word, no! I don't really watch too much to be honest. Simpsons of course though, brilliant!

I think us Brits are fascinated by old American TV shows: Dukes, Knightrider, A-Team, MacGuyver, Fall Guy and so on. I am forever searching through the Bravo listings for these gems!

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:04 pm

...Streethawk, Airwolf, Bluethunder...

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:15 pm

Manimal and Automan! Remember those -- the worst of that era, but somehow fun nevertheless.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:19 pm

Yes, just! I was only about four when Dukes started but remember avidly watching it and getting a General Lee for Christmas. Even today I am looking for the 'dixie horn' as a message tone for my mobile! How sad is that!

"Only a fool tries to fool Mr.T"

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:20 pm

Well, Catherine Bach in cut off jeans was one of the reasons for watching the good ol' Dukes...

PS: I split this from the Tiny thread as it had gone way off topic.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:25 pm

Hehe, yes. Maybe not when I was four, but certainly one of the main reasons now...

They are making a Dukes film (movie) this year!

BloodFromStone · Post by **BloodFromStone** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:43 pm

Knightrider! Jeez, that show was awesome. Unfortunately, they made this really bad Team Knightrider thing trying to play off of it, and it was terrible.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:00 pm

woohoo to gambit and BFS - i would have said George Carlin and especially Bill Hicks too, then waited for the mockery.
Eddie Izzard is another of my favourites, i saw him in one of the montreal comedy shows yeaaaaaaaaars ago when no one knew him, and loved him ever since, maybe slanted to his older stuff...

I can't say i have seen much new billy connolly stuff, but just on his back catalogue alone the man is a god.

It's funny how all the old tc shows are gettign remade as films...
Oh, i may just mention Battlestar Galactica just now...another old american show, watchign the remake, and it's amazing! Completely departs from the old show and is much more a human drama...much better for it.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:02 pm

Ah yes, Battlestar, excellent. It is Connolly's 'World Tours' that I have found best, especially Australia and Scotland. Anone remember TJ Hooker?

BloodFromStone · Post by **BloodFromStone** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:06 pm

Eddie Izzard is quite hilarious. I'd rather him just come out and tell his jokes than dress up silly, though. He's too clever to need a clown suit to be funny.

Post by **PaulH** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:08 pm

He actually dresses like that normally!

BloodFromStone · Post by **BloodFromStone** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:13 pm

Oh, really? My mistake.

All charges can be dropped.

Post by **Gambit37** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:14 pm

He didn't initially! Watch some of his really early stand up and he actually looks like some strange geek.

I watched the 2 part Battlestar miniseries, then promptly missed the start of the new series on Sky One. But the internet and file sharing is my saviour -- woot! The 2 parter was pretty good I thought, but unforgiveable the stereotype 'baddie scientist' has a fairly plummy English accent. I can't stand that copout in so many American films and shows... "Ooh, he's of dubious morals, better cast an Englishman."...

I am in danger of sounding anti American with these comments. Oh well!